Fix: YouTube Subscriptions Not Loading On Kodi

Experiencing issues with your YouTube subscriptions not loading in Kodi? You're not alone! This article breaks down a common problem with the YouTube plugin and offers potential solutions. Let's dive in and get your subscriptions back on track. We will explore the error, understand the context, and provide troubleshooting steps.

Understanding the Problem

The main issue is that the "My Subscriptions" feature within the YouTube plugin for Kodi is failing to load, accompanied by an error message. This can be frustrating, especially when other YouTube functionalities seem to be working just fine. Based on the provided information, the user is encountering this problem with add-on version v7.3.0+beta.9 on Kodi v21.3 (Kodi Omega), running on LibreElec with a German language setting. The error appears despite the user being seemingly logged in, as indicated by the presence of a logout button and the proper functioning of other account-related features like "Watch Later" and custom playlists.

Initial Observations and Context

Before diving into troubleshooting, let's summarize the key observations:

• Add-on Version: v7.3.0+beta.9
• Kodi Version: v21.3 (Kodi Omega)
• Operating System: LibreElec
• Language: German
• Error: "My Subscriptions" fails to load, displaying an error message.
• Login Status: The user appears to be logged in (logout button visible), and other account features work.
• Custom API Keys: The user is utilizing custom API keys.
• SponsorBlock: The user has SponsorBlock installed, but disabling it doesn't resolve the problem.
• Working Features: "Watch Later", subscription lists, and custom watchlists are functioning correctly.

Decoding the Error Log

The provided log file contains valuable clues about the root cause of the issue. Let's highlight and dissect the relevant parts:

• 2025-11-15 20:01:06.870 T:1373 info <general>: [plugin.video.youtube] login_client:128(set_access_token) - User is not logged in
• 2025-11-15 20:01:06.871 T:1373 info <general>: [plugin.video.youtube] login_client:123(set_access_token) - User is fully logged in

These lines are particularly perplexing. The log indicates a contradictory state: first, the system reports the user is not logged in, immediately followed by confirmation that the user is fully logged in. This suggests a possible glitch or race condition in the authentication process within the plugin.

The core error is an AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'get'. This error originates in the following code path:

/storage/.kodi/addons/plugin.video.youtube/resources/lib/youtube_plugin/kodion/items/utils.py, line 71:

item_type = json_data.get('type')

This error means that json_data is None when the code attempts to call the get method on it. This typically indicates that the plugin is failing to retrieve the necessary data for your subscriptions, resulting in a None value where a JSON object is expected. The NoneType error essentially means that the plugin is trying to perform an operation on something that doesn't exist, hence the inability to retrieve the 'type' attribute.

Troubleshooting Steps: Resolving the "My Subscriptions" Error

Now that we have a good understanding of the problem and the error messages, let's proceed with troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue. These steps are designed to address potential causes, ranging from simple fixes to more advanced configurations.

1. Basic Checks and Restart

• Kodi Restart: The first step should always be a simple restart of Kodi. This can often resolve temporary glitches and refresh the system.
• System Reboot: If restarting Kodi doesn't work, try rebooting your entire system (LibreElec in this case). This ensures that all processes are properly reset.
• Check Internet Connection: Verify that you have a stable and active internet connection. A faulty connection can prevent the plugin from retrieving data.

2. Re-Authentication and Login

• Logout and Log Back In: Even though you see a logout button, explicitly log out of your YouTube account within the plugin and then log back in. This forces a fresh authentication and can resolve inconsistencies in the login state.
• Clear Cache: Clearing the cache of the YouTube add-on can remove any corrupted or outdated data that might be causing issues. Look for a "Clear Cache" option within the plugin's settings.
• Reauthorize: Some add-ons require reauthorization periodically. Check if there's an option to reauthorize your YouTube account in the add-on settings.

3. Add-on Configuration and Updates

• Check for Updates: Ensure that you're running the latest version of the YouTube plugin. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs and improve functionality. Go to Kodi's add-on manager and check for updates.
• Review Plugin Settings: Examine the YouTube plugin's settings for any misconfigurations. Pay close attention to settings related to account linking, API keys, and subscription preferences.
• Reset Add-on Settings: As a last resort, consider resetting the add-on settings to their defaults. This can undo any accidental changes that might be causing the problem.

4. API Key Verification

Since you're using custom API keys, it's crucial to ensure they are correctly configured and valid:

• Verify API Key Validity: Double-check that your API keys are still valid and haven't expired or been revoked by Google.
• Correct API Key Input: Ensure that you've entered the API keys correctly in the plugin's settings, paying attention to capitalization and special characters.
• API Key Permissions: Verify that your API keys have the necessary permissions to access YouTube subscriptions. You may need to adjust the API key settings in the Google Cloud Console.

5. Investigate Add-on Conflicts

Although you disabled SponsorBlock, there might be other add-ons interfering with the YouTube plugin:

• Disable Conflicting Add-ons: Try disabling other add-ons one by one to see if any of them are causing conflicts. Focus on add-ons that interact with YouTube or network traffic.
• Check Kodi Logs: Examine the Kodi logs (kodi.log) for any error messages or warnings related to add-on conflicts.

6. Advanced Troubleshooting

If none of the above steps work, you might need to delve into more advanced troubleshooting:

• Debug Logging: Enable debug logging in Kodi and the YouTube plugin. This will provide more detailed information about what's happening behind the scenes, which can help pinpoint the source of the error.
• Manual Database Inspection: The error log mentions bookmarks. It's possible that there's an issue with the plugin's database. You could try manually inspecting or resetting the database, but this requires advanced knowledge and caution.
• Fresh Kodi Installation: As a last resort, consider performing a fresh installation of Kodi. This will eliminate any potential configuration issues or corrupted files.

Analyzing the Error Log in Detail

The error message AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'get' indicates that the json_data variable is None when the code tries to access it. This usually happens when the plugin fails to retrieve data from the YouTube API or from its own internal storage. The traceback shows that the error occurs in the from_json function, which is responsible for converting JSON data into Python objects. This suggests that the plugin is receiving invalid or missing JSON data.

The lines suggesting a login issue (User is not logged in followed by User is fully logged in) are also crucial. This discrepancy might indicate a race condition or timing issue in the login process, which could lead to the plugin not being able to properly retrieve the user's subscriptions.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting Kodi and YouTube plugin issues can be intricate, but by systematically addressing potential causes, you can often resolve the problem. Start with the basic checks and gradually move towards more advanced troubleshooting steps. Remember to analyze the error logs carefully, as they provide valuable clues about the root cause. By methodically working through these steps, you should be able to restore your YouTube subscriptions and enjoy seamless viewing on Kodi.

For additional information and support, consider visiting the official Kodi website or the YouTube add-on's forum. You can find useful resources and community discussions that might offer further insights. Check out the Kodi Wiki for more details.